History Main / Mooks

* MinionMaster (a character who creates Mooks)

A slang term for the hordes of standard-issue, [[WeHaveReserves disposable bad guys]] whom TheHero mows down with utter impunity and [[WhatMeasureIsAMook complete disregard]]. Deadly, competent, loyal, abundant... [[SurroundedByIdiots pick]] [[MookFaceTurn any]] [[MookDepletion two.]]

A slang term for the hordes of standard-issue, [[WeHaveReserves disposable bad guys]] whom TheHero mows down with utter impunity and [[WhatMeasureIsAMook complete disregard]]. Deadly, competent, loyal, abundant... pick any two.

Also called "baddies", "[[FacelessGoons goons]]", "scrubs", "[[AttackDrone drones]]", "[[BitPartBadguys small fry]]", "{{flunk|yBoss}}ies", "[[TabletopGame/{{Chess}} pawns]]", "toadies", "grunts", "[[EvilMinions minions]]", "[[SycophanticServant lackeys]]", "underlings", "[[ZergRush swarmers]]", "{{hench|menRace}}persons", "popcorn enemies", "foot soldiers", and "CannonFodder". In Japanese videogame jargon, they're known as "zako" or "small fry". The actual term "mook" presumably comes from Hong Kong Cinema, and takes its name from the ''mook jong'', the wooden training dummies used in Wing Chun, whose only function is to get hit. In Hong Kong movie circles, they're often called "three-hit men," in reference to [[RuleOfThree how many hits it takes]] to put them down, though the actual number of hits varies.

->''"They may be called the Palace Guard, the City Guard, or the Patrol. Whatever the name, their purpose in any work of heroic fantasy is identical: it is, round about Chapter Three (or ten minutes into the film) to rush into the room, attack the hero one at a time, and be slaughtered. No one ever asks them if they wanted to."''
-->-- '''Creator/TerryPratchett''', ''Literature/GuardsGuards''

{{Anime}}, has a second type tailored for HumongousMecha: A RealRobot series will usually have at least one class of {{mecha}} that basically acts as [[RedshirtArmy the "Grunt" unit]] for the bad guy's army. This mech is usually simply constructed, probably with a basic ranged weapon ([[GatlingGood machinegun]] or EnergyWeapon or two, a close-combat weapon, and may have the option of carrying a [[{{BFG}} bigger gun]], depending on how much tougher the hero's armor is.) These will act just like regular Mooks ''or'' Mecha-Mooks, depending on how much the writers want you to empathize with the enemy. There's usually a very good chance that the Hero's Rival will at least start out by riding in an AceCustom version of this mecha. [[TanksForNothing Tanks]] usually serve a similar role on the heroes' side, and said grunt will often be the only thing they can reasonably threaten.

{{Anime}}, has a second, type tailored for HumongousMecha: A RealRobot series will usually have at least one class of {{mecha}} that basically acts as [[RedshirtArmy the "Grunt" unit]] for the bad guy's army. This mech is usually simply constructed, probably with a basic ranged weapon ([[GatlingGood machinegun]] or EnergyWeapon or two, a close-combat weapon, and may have the option of carrying a [[{{BFG}} bigger gun]], depending on how much tougher the hero's armor is.) These will act just like regular Mooks ''or'' Mecha-Mooks, depending on how much the writers want you to empathize with the enemy. There's usually a very good chance that the Hero's Rival will at least start out by riding in an AceCustom version of this mecha. [[TanksForNothing Tanks]] usually serve a similar role on the heroes' side, and said grunt will often be the only thing they can reasonably threaten.

When supposedly elite fighters in large number are less competent together than a man alone, it's ConservationOfNinjutsu.

* EvenMooksHaveLovedOnes
* TheJoysOfTorturingMooks (having fun messing around with mooks)